HOBOKEN -- According to a New York Times cover story published today (Thursday), NJ Transit approved plans last summer for a new light rail station in northwestern Hoboken, near property owned by the Rockefeller Group, which wants to build a 40-story office tower in that area. Light rail stations already exist on the west side of town at Second Street and Ninth Street. The Rockefeller property would add a station around 15th Street.

The Times story says, "Just last June, the state’s mass transit agency reached a nonbinding agreement with the company for the construction of a light rail station near its property."

NJ Transit itself owns several parcels next to the Rockefeller property. The area is near the city's northern border, next to Weehawken.

The Times cover story mainly pieces together the timeline of efforts by the Rockefeller development company to pressure Hoboken officials to support its project, following up on the mayor's allegations that Gov. Chris Christie's administration pressured her last spring. The story doesn't uncover any new potential illegalities, but does note that Gov. Jon Corzine's allies also helped pressure Hoboken for the project.

suffice it to say, many uptown hoboken residents were a bit surprised and none to pleased to hear about a rail station at 15th street. The Rockerfeller group will now have a major battle on their hands....unfortunately for them, this project will not be moving forward until the residents of hoboken understand the entire project and clearly these surprises are not helping the situation.